HTC One A9 versus Google Nexus 5X
Both the HTC One A9 and Google’s Nexus 5X, made by LG, feature high-end specifications in a compact size at a price that’s relatively affordable. The Nexus 5X stirred up lots of hype this year given how great the original Nexus 5 was. The One A9 brings a new taste of design and looks to put the company back on track after a devastating year.
Let’s see how the two devices stack up.
Design
Both the Nexus 5X and One A9 come in slim, lightweight packages each with unique design cues that keep the cost low. The Nexus 5X features a plastic body that wraps around the edge of the display. It’s soft to the touch and comes in a variety of color options such as white, black and mint. It measures in at 147 x 72.6 x 7.9mm and weighs only 136 grams. Google says its super compact body both looks and feels good due to its high screen-to-body ratio. On the front you’ll find a speaker grill with an LED indicator along the bottom of the display and another for taking calls at the top. On the sides lie the power and volume controls as well as the SIM card tray. On the rear you’ll find Google’s new super fast fingerprint scanner with the company’s Nexus logo as well as LG’s symbol just below it.
The One A9 features a design that’s very much unlike that of the Nexus 5X, but similar in size. Its display measures a slightly smaller 5 inches with its overall body measuring 145.75 x 70.8 x 7.26mm and weighing in at 143g. The One A9 take a very different approach when it comes to build materials. The handset is made of metal and has a design similar to that of Apple’s newest iPhone series. However, HTC thought is was better to place the camera and flash in the upper middle of the rear side rather than the corner. You’ll find a rare physical home button that doubles as a fingerprint scanner on the front with HTC’s branding just above it. That same company logo is stamped on the back of the One A9. The right side offers power and volume buttons while the SIM card tray and micro-SD card slot can be found on the left side.
Winner: HTC One A9
Display
The display on both handsets are hard to decipher, especially on paper. Both include full-HD displays, HTC’s having Super AMOLED technology and Google’s being an IPS LCD panel. The One A9 will be slightly more pixel dense due to its smaller display size, coming in at 5-inches while the Nexus 5X measures 5.2 inches. Both aren’t the best out there but are doable for the average user. You’ll also get the benefit of having a less power-hungry display than much of the high-end market. Which means more battery life for you!
Another difference here is that HTC’s One A9 is covered with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 4 while Google’s Nexus 5X has Gorilla Glass 3. However, the difference is hard to notice during average day-to-day activities.
Winner: HTC One A9
Hardware
On the hardware front, HTC and Google’s phones each have their own advantages. The Nexus 5X sports Snapdragon 808 processor that is slightly faster than the Snapdragon 617 in the One A9. Neither is bad, but it can become more noticeable over time. If you decide to pick up the 32GB One A9 variant, it’ll have an additional gigabyte of RAM making for a better multitasking experience. On the other hand, the Adreno 405 that comes on the HTC One A9 can’t match the Adreno 418 present on the Nexus 5X. This gives the One A9 the slight advantage when it comes to gaming.
With mobile payments on the rise, you’ll be glad to know that both handsets include built-in fingerprint scanners. The only difference here being the location of it. The Nexus 5X keeps the scanner on the rear side and the One A9 has it built into the home button. Each handset starts at 16GB of internal storage space and can also be purchased with 32GB of space for an extra cost. Unlike that of the Nexus 5X, the One A9 can be expanded via its built-in micro-SD card slot for an added 2TB of storage.
The Nexus 5X fights back with its USB type-C port for reversibility and faster charging capabilities. But this is not something HTC falls short on. The company has included support for Quick Charge 2.0 with the capability of upgrading to 3.0 once available. The only problem here is that you’ll need a specific adapter. It should also be noted that the One A9 leaves out Bluetooth 4.2 compatibility and doesn’t come with the included Barometer sensor that the Nexus 5X does.
Winner: Nexus 5X
Software
Both handsets run Google’s latest software version, Android 6.0. It offers a refined experience, better battery consumption, less bugs, faster speeds and some new nifty tools. If you want a stock Android experience, go with the Nexus 5X, if you want some extra features, go with the One A9.
When it comes to updates, Nexus 5X owners will be among the first to get their hands on the latest and greatest. Unfortunately, One A9 users will have to suffer a longer wait. So what you want comes down to personal preference.
Winner: It comes down to preference.
Camera
Now le’ts talk about cameras. Each has a 13MP rear-facing camera but the One A9 supports a slightly higher resolution front-facing camera. The One A9 boosts a 5MP snapper while the Nexus 5X includes a 4MP one. However, as most of you know, megapixels aren’t everything. Unfortunately the One A9 is yet to be tested so we can’t have a direct comparison here. Both are alike on paper with an F2.0 lens and an included LED flash. However the Nexus 5X goes a bit beyond and includes a larger 1.55μm pixel size for better low-light photography and more stabilized shots and videos. The Nexus 5X also supports slow motion video at 120fps and can shoot in 4k resolution at 30 fps. HTC plays it safe with its included Optical Image Stabilization and a new sapphire crystal surface that covers the lens from being damaged. The One A9 also brings more manual controls with its application and includes a new hyperlapse feature that Google’s camera app fails to supply. But the bottom line is, the camera has been an area where HTC is known to struggle and if camera quality is most important to you, the Nexus 5X is a safer bet.
Winner: Nexus 5X
Battery
While battery can mean a lot less on paper than real live tests, here’s what I’ve picked up. The Nexus 5X provides a larger capacity at 2,700mAh over the One A9’s smaller 2,150mAh capacity. Both are sealed meaning you can’t replace them with a spare. With both handsets, users will get Google’s doze feature that debuted with the Marshmallow update which shuts down background apps and cuts back performance when the device notices it has been sitting for a while. As said in the previous section, each supports their own methods of fast charging to keep your device up and running with a simple plug-in. Until further tests are conducted, it’s hard to say which is the better of the two in terms of battery stamina, but one can expect to see similar results with either or.
Score: Draw
Availability and Price
The One A9 is the newer of the two and is currently up for pre-order. HTC is yet to announce an official release date but stated November will be a likely launch time. The One A9 will be carried by AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint in the United States and will operate on Verizon if unlocked. However, Verizon will not carry the handset meaning you’ll have to fetch it from somewhere else. For the 32GB/3GB option of the One A9, buyers will pay $399 unlocked without a contract. Users can also wait and pay with installment plans or a contract if they so choose. Color options will vary on one’s location.
The Nexus 5X just became available in the states and will be coming to more countries shortly. It costs $379 for 16GB of storage and $429 for 32GB. The handset comes unlocked with support for all four major U.S. carriers. At this time, it can only be purchased through the Google Store.
Closing
Each handset has their pros and cons. Neither is perfect and both aren’t the hottest out there. But all it takes is the right person to make the perfect buy. The Nexus 5X is a great option for those wanting a compact device with a clean experience that doesn’t break the bank. I’m looking at you Nexus 6P. The One A9 is a great choice for those looking to spend a reasonable amount on a phone that’s reliable, supports the latest software, and has a premium design. What’s better comes down to your personal preference. Neither is significantly better than the other.
Feel free to let us know what feature led to your decision and why in the comments down below.
Come comment on this article: HTC One A9 versus Google Nexus 5X
‘Batman: Arkham Knight’ returns to PC with some lingering issues
Warner Bros. removed Batman: Arkham Knight from Steam in June because that version of the game was essentially too broken to function. Today, it re-launched Arkham Knight on Steam, though some players are still experiencing problems. In an effort to address these issues, Warner Bros. posted an update with a few suggestions for specific problems: Windows 7 players may encounter hard-drive paging issues after “extended gameplay sessions,” but “re-launching the game will resolve” that. For Windows 10 players, Warner Bros. says, “having at least 12GB of system RAM on a PC allows the game to operate without paging and provides a smoother gameplay experience.” It should be noted that 12GB of RAM would provide a smoother gameplay experience for just about every game in existence. The studio is also looking into stabilizing the experiences on specific graphics cards.
Via: Motherboard
Source: Steam
Chinese hackers targeted an insurer to learn about US health care
When Anthem revealed a data breach that exposed the details of more than 80 million people, the incident raised a lot of questions: who would conduct such a hack against a health insurance firm? Why? And what happens to the data? Well, investigators finally have some answers… and they’re not quite what you’d expect. Reportedly, the culprits were Chinese hackers helping their nation understand how US medical care works. It may be part of a concerted campaign to get ready for 2020, when China plans to offer universal health care. If that’s the case, the findings might explain a string of health-related breaches in the past few years.
Source: Financial Times
Xbox One Kinect bundle drops to $399 for a limited time
With the holiday season just around the corner, Microsoft is looking to capitalize on Xbox One sales over the next couple of months. As such, the company has announced a limited-time deal for the kit that includes its latest console and companion motion sensor, plus Dance Central Spotlight, Kinect Sports Rivals and Zoo Tycoon. If you’re in the US, Mexico or Canada, starting today you can buy the Xbox One Kinect bundle for $399, $7,999 MXN and $449 CAD, respectively. What’s more, for people who only want the Kinect, Microsoft’s also offering it for $99 right now. Microsoft didn’t say how long this promotion will last, so those of you who are interested should probably act on it as soon as possible.
Source: Xbox
Toyota’s concept car duo couldn’t be more different
One car; fashioned from chrome alloy, exposed suspension and steampunk dreams. Another? See-thru turquoise-hued glass, white spiderweb frameworks, and a hydrogen-powered heart. Toyota’s concept cars take very different creative routes with the humble automobile. The more rustic “Kikai” is an attempt to draw out the literal inner beauty of cars, showcasing mechanical parts that aren’t usually seen. Tires and suspension take pride of place, while a tiny window in the floor the carriage lets passengers see what’s going on underneath the car. Then there’s the FCV Plus…
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Astronomers find pure oxygen leaking from Rosetta’s comet
European Space Agency astronomers, with the help of the Rosetta spacecraft, have made a remarkable discovery that could fundamentally alter our understanding of how the solar system formed. They have detected large amounts of pure oxygen (O2) leaking from comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Oxygen is a pretty common element, but because it reacts so easily with other elements it’s almost always found in mixed molecules like carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) or water (H2O).
Source: Associated Press
Motorola Droid Turbo 2 vs Moto X Style (Pure Edition) quick look
Motorola and Verizon Wireless took the wraps off of the new additions to their Droid series of smartphones yesterday, with Verizon users now having two new devices to choose from, the Droid Turbo 2 and the Droid Maxx 2, with the former being the more high-end of the new offerings. Motorola followed an identical pattern with their own Moto X series as well, and as such, there are quite a few noticeable similarities between the Droid Turbo 2 and the Moto X Style (Pure Edition), as well as the Droid Maxx 2 and the Moto X Play.
Focusing on the respective high-end devices in this comparison, does the Droid Turbo 2 manage to be more than just a re-branded Moto X Style that is available exclusively from Verizon? We find out, as we take a quick look at the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 vs Moto X Style (Pure Edition)!
Design
In terms of design, both smartphones do share some common elements, such as the metal frame, and the Motorola dimple on the back, that is now a part of the metallic bar that also houses the rear camera unit. The bar is a little thicker and shorter on the Droid Turbo 2, but in both cases, the dimple is placed at the point where your index finger would rest.
Turning over to the front, both devices come with Motorola’s usual suite of sensors around the display that allow for the various gesture controls available. The placement of the buttons, headphone jack, SIM card and microSD card slots, and microUSB port are also identical. However, there are some distinct differences to be seen here as well.
For starters, the Droid Turbo 2 is the shorter of the two smartphones, courtesy of the smaller display the device comes with. Surprisingly though, the Moto X Style manages to be a touch narrower, with it featuring much sleeker bezels along the sides of the display. With more of a curve to it, the Moto X Style is slightly thicker than the flatter Droid Turbo 2, at their respective thickest points.
Below the display of the Droid Turbo 2 is the Verizon logo, that splits the speaker grill into two. Talking about speakers, while the Moto X Style comes with a dual front-facing speaker setup, in the case of the Droid Turbo 2, the single speaker unit is housed in the speaker grill on the bottom right of the front face.
The good news for Verizon customers that are considering the Droid Turbo 2 is that Motorola’s Moto Maker customization suite is now available for this smartphone as well. As is also possible with the Moto X Style, users have the option to choose between soft silicone and leather, and change the color of the front-face and the accents. The Droid series has featured a distinct look in the past, but letting users personalize it is certainly a very welcome addition.It is worth noting that the ballistic nylon look found in the Turbo is also an option here, unlike the Moto X Style.
Display
The big difference between the two smartphones is when it comes to their respective displays, with there not only being a distinction in size, but in the underlying technologies as well. The Droid Turbo 2 features a 5.4-inch AMOLED display with a Quad HD resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 540 ppi, while the Moto X Style comes with a larger 5.7-inch IPS LCD screen, with same resolution and resulting pixel density of 520 ppi.
The edge has to be given to the Droid Turbo 2 here, not because of the negligible difference in pixel density, but because of its AMOLED construction that should allow for more vibrant colors and deeper blacks, while also being better suited to take advantage of software features like Moto Display. Further, the Droid Turbo 2 comes with Motorola’s “Shattershield” tech, making for a display that can withstand a heavy beating and remain unharmed.
However, some initial reports claim that the use of Shattershield results in a below average display experience, so that is something we will certainly be testing out further.
Performance and hardware
Under the hood, the Droid Turbo 2 comes with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and the Adreno 430 GPU, while the Moto X Style is powered by the hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, backed by the Adreno 418 GPU, with both coming with 3 GB of RAM on-board. While the processing package of the Droid Turbo 2 may be more powerful, with Motorola’s software optimization available with both, performance is smooth and snappy with either device, and you will be hard pressed to find a distinct difference in performance when it comes to real world usage.
32 GB and 64 GB storage options are available with both devices, with the Moto X Style also coming with a 16 GB iteration. The good news is that expandable storage via microSD card is possible with both smartphones.
As mentioned, the Droid Turbo 2 comes with a single speaker unit at the bottom right of the display, while the Moto X Style features a dual front-facing speaker setup, that does allow for a comparatively better audio experience. The speaker of the Droid Turbo 2 does get loud though, and while further testing is needed, this should still prove to be a better implementation than any rear or bottom mounted speakers out there.
A key aspect of the Droid series has been the focus on battery life, and that remains true with the Droid Turbo 2, with its large 3,760 mAh battery, that Motorola claims will last through 2 full days of use, with moderate usage. The 3,000 mAh unit of the Moto X Style does provide fairly decent battery life as well, but the upper hand has to be given to the Droid Turbo 2 here. Both devices also feature fast charging capabilities using Motorola’s Turbo Charger, which will have you up and running in no time, in either case.
Camera
The camera is one area in which Motorola has looked to provide a consistent experience across the board with all their current generation offerings, and in this case, both smartphones come with the same camera packages, a 21 MP rear camera with a f/2.0 aperture, along with a 5 MP wide-angle lens front-facing unit. We will be putting the camera of the Droid Turbo 2 through its paces, but if the camera experience with the Moto X Style is any indication, we can expect some high-quality images to be possible with the former as well.
Software
On the software side of things, both smartphones are running a near stock iteration of Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out of the box. While an official update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow is in the works for both devices, it is a little bit disappointing to see the newer Droid Turbo 2 not launch with the latest version of Android. The software experience is identical with both devices, with Motorola’s useful enhancements, including Moto Display and Moto Action, to be found. The only difference seen in software is the bunch of pre-loaded Verizon applications that will be seen with the Droid Turbo 2.
Specs comparison
| Droid Turbo 2 | Moto X Style (Pure Edition) | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.4-inch AMOLED display Quad HD resolution, 540ppi / Shatter Shield tech |
5.7-inch IPS LCD display Quad HD resolution, 515 ppi |
| Processor | 2 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor Adreno 430 GPU |
1.8 GHz hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor Adreno 418 GPU |
| RAM | 3 GB | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB expandable via microSD up to 128 GB |
16/32/64 GB expandable via microSD up to 128 GB |
| Camera | 21 MP rear camera with dual LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera with wide angle lens and front-facing flash |
21 MP rear camera with dual LED flash 5 MP front-facing camera with wide angle lens and front-facing flash |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 4.1 NFC GPS+GLONASS |
Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac Universal LTE bands Bluetooth 4.1 NFC GPS+GLONASS |
| Battery | 3,760 Mah | 3,000 mAh |
| Software | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop |
| Dimensions | 149.8 x 78 x 9.2 mm 169 grams |
153.9 x 76.2 x 11.1 mm 179 grams |
| Colors | Moto Maker Coated Silicon Rubber Horween leather and natural wood Metallic accents Engraving |
Moto Maker Coated Silicon Rubber Horween leather and natural wood Metallic accents Engraving |
Pricing
The Droid Turbo 2 will be available exclusively from Verizon Wireless, priced at $26 per month for the 32 GB version, and $30 per month for the 64 GB iteration. Considering the 2-year contractual commitment, that sets the full price of the device at $624 and $720 respectively. On the other hand, the Moto X Style is priced starting at a very affordable $399 and is unlocked, which means that the device can be used with any network carrier. While the Moto X Style does work out to be cheaper, the lump sum payment may not be for everybody, and the monthly installment plan possible with the Droid Turbo 2 may be the better option for some.
Conclusion at a glance
So there you have it for this quick look at the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 vs Moto X Style (Pure Edition)! Both smartphones have their similarities, but the larger battery, shatterproof display, and arguably better processing package, does give the Droid Turbo 2 a leg up. Of course, these features do command quite the premium, compared to the highly affordable Moto X Style (Pure Edition).
Keep in mind that the Droid Turbo 2 is exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers, so the Moto X Pure Edition is the only option available to you if you are looking for a similar experience but on another network.
Want the HTC One A9 from Verizon? It’s coming in December
The HTC One A9 can be bought directly from HTC for $399, a price that will soon increase. Among the Big Four U.S. carriers, Verizon is the only one without a dedicated variant; however, the handset will work on the carrier’s network and likely its 4G LTE network alone. Still, as of right now, you cannot buy the One A9 from Verizon. The wait to get the new HTC flagship from Verizon will a bit longer.
The product listing on HTC’s site has a small note below the pre-order button that notes the One A9 is “coming in December” to Verizon.
Source: HTC
Come comment on this article: Want the HTC One A9 from Verizon? It’s coming in December
Alto Mail marks AOL’s return to mobile email
The life and times of AOL, formerly known as America Online, have been anything but dull. The company debuted with a service to get people online. That quickly turned into a multitude of other services and attracted Time Warner to commence a merger leading to the ill-fated AOL Time Warner. AOL was spun off in 2009 as its own company and has since focused on digital content and advertising, apparently performing well enough for Verizon to acquire it for $4.4 billion. Email, one of the pillars of AOL’s success, basically evaporated with the rise of competitors. But now AOL is back with a brand new mobile email app that doesn’t care which service you’re using.
Dave McDowell, Senior VP and GM of Communication Products at AOL, commented on the current state of email:
“The average email user has at least three email accounts, so the last thing they need is another email account.”
Alto Mail wants to store each and every one of your accounts before presenting a personalized feed with quick bits of information. Go ahead and add Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, iCloud, and other accounts to Alto Mail. The app is still going to highlight important information in its dashboard that utilizes Google Now-like cards. Of course you’re also able to add in AOL Mail accounts.
Alto Mail is both beautifully clean and functional, something that AOL is hoping will be enough to pull users away from their current email apps.
AOL Launches Alto
Alto Surfaces the Most Relevant Information When and Where Users Need It Most
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Today at the annual Inbox Love conference, AOL announced the return of Alto with advanced mobile email apps for iOS and Android. A game changer for users who live on their smartphones and don’t want to use multiple apps to stay organized, Alto simplifies how users manage email.
Innovative features of Alto include:
- Multiple email accounts in a single mailbox and the ability to quickly switch accounts. Alto supports any IMAP account including AOL, Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook.com and iCloud.
- Cards surface flights, hotels, restaurant reservations, shipping details and receipts right in the message list to allow users to get information without ever opening an email.
- Dashboard bundles cards together for a quick snapshot of the most important and relevant information in a user’s inbox.
- Stacks organize photos, files, personal conversations and more to make it easy for users to find what they are looking for without searching.
“The average email user has at least three email accounts, so the last thing they need is another email account,” said Dave McDowell, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Communication Products at AOL. “Alto makes it simple to manage multiple email accounts so users don’t have to switch between apps, it makes the message list smart so users don’t have to read every message to get the most important information, and it provides a dashboard to highlight relevant information when and where users need it most.”
Alto runs on mobile devices with Android 4.0+ and iOS 9.0+. Visit http://altomail.com for more information.
About AOL
AOL is a media technology company with a mission to simplify the Internet for consumers and creators by unleashing the world’s best builders of culture and code. As one of the largest online properties with approximately 500 million monthly global consumers of its premium brands and combined Microsoft inventory, AOL is at the center of disruption of how content is being produced, distributed, consumed and monetized by connecting publishers with advertisers on its global, programmatic content and advertising platforms. AOL’s opportunity lies in shaping the future of the digitally connected world for decades to come. AOL is a subsidiary of Verizon.
Come comment on this article: Alto Mail marks AOL’s return to mobile email
Mercedes Vision Tokyo Concept is a minivan for millennials
Mercedes-Benz believes that the next generation of drivers would much rather interact digitally with their machines than actually be behind the wheel. To satiate the desires of these tech-obsessed passengers, the company re-imagines the minivan as a rolling, autonomous lounge called the Vision Tokyo Concept. The silver lozenge debuts at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show.Slideshow-335656
Source: Mercedes-Benz
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